The World War Two Royal Airforce Bomber Command Vickers
Wellington 'Wimpy' Long range Medium Bomber was the main British Bomber until
the development of the four engined heavy bomber like the AVRO Lancaster in
1941. On the 4th September 1939 Wellingtons and Blenheims were the first British
Aircraft to make an attack on Germany when they bombed shipping in Brunsbuttel.
The Vickers Wellington had power-operated turrets at the front and rear but they
were still not enough to protect the aircraft from fighters during the day. The Wellington
was switched to night raids. The bomber was designed by Barnes Wallis who latter
went on to design the bouncing bomb of the Dambuster raid fame. The Plane was immensely
strong due to it's geodetic type of construction. It could take a lot of
punishment and still get its crew home safely. The Wellington also served in RAF
Costal Command and became an effective torpedo carrying submarine killer helping
to protect the North Atlantic Convoys.